From The Week, where I found this vid:
A new kind of pavement could do wonders for areas prone to flooding and heavy rainfall. The material, called Topmix Permeable, is porous and can absorb 4,000 liters of water in just 60 seconds. So instead of sitting on top of the concrete and forming puddles or dangerous pools, the water quickly vanishes into the ground, where it is funneled into the city's drainage system to be recycled.
What makes Topmix Permeable unique is the absence of smaller pebbles and sand that make regular concrete dense and impenetrable. When you take those two things out of the mix, what's left are relatively large pebbles that allow water to seep through.
"The system can also help filter contaminants, such as motor oil, out of water — the multiple layers of porous stone essentially act as a giant filter," writes Emily Matchar at Smithsonian. And Tarmac says it could help create a cooling effect in summer months by allowing stored water to evaporate.
Topmix Permeable is about the same price as regular concrete options, but isn't yet available in the U.S.
11 Comments
draak13Roads aren't designed like this in most places because it's better to keep the water out; one wintertime freeze, and that entire parking lot turns into gravel.
bareboards2The way I read the article, the water is diverted to the storm system.
I mean, ground can't absorb that much water that fast.
And I assume water is heavy enough to keep going down to the storm system, and not stay trapped in the permeable part.
Unless I'm not understanding your point?
Roads aren't designed like this in most places because it's better to keep the water out; one wintertime freeze, and that entire parking lot turns into gravel.
oritteropoWinter freezing isn't such an issue in the 66% of the world where it doesn't snow, it looks pretty handy for the tropics.
Roads aren't designed like this in most places because it's better to keep the water out; one wintertime freeze, and that entire parking lot turns into gravel.
rbarThis type of concrete (or something very similar) has been in use since 1973 in the Netherlands. Currently about 90% of the Dutch highways use this. Its big advantages are less noise, less aqua planning and more visibility due to less water from tires. Its disadvantages are somewhat less grip, more wear and issues with freezing. The freezing doesnt necessarily break the concrete but any salts used to de-ice the road will also be washed away meaning that the top layer of the road will often be very slippery. In the Netherlands, with between 23 and 46 days with temperatures below zero on average, the amount of trouble that causes is acceptable compared to the advantages.
draak13Nice to know!
This type of concrete (or something very similar) has been in use since 1973 in the Netherlands. Currently about 90% of the Dutch highways use this. Its big advantages are less noise, less aqua planning and more visibility due to less water from tires. Its disadvantages are somewhat less grip, more wear and issues with freezing. The freezing doesnt necessarily break the concrete but any salts used to de-ice the road will also be washed away meaning that the top layer of the road will often be very slippery. In the Netherlands, with between 23 and 46 days with temperatures below zero on average, the amount of trouble that causes is acceptable compared to the advantages.
articianWhy, why, why why was the first thought I had: "I bet if someone were murdered on that it would be a lot harder to find the evidence"??
What the fuck is wrong with me today?
bareboards2Years ago, I was at the grocery store with my boyfriend. He picked up a HUGE chunk of caramel that was meant for melting for toffee apples. It was remarkable, how big and heavy this chunk of candy was.
He mused, as he hefted it in his hand, "You know, you could kill someone with this and eat the evidence."
That was 40 years ago, and whenever I see something lethal in the grocery store, that is my very first thought.
You aren't alone, is what I am saying.
PS The boyfriend went on to become a police officer. Yikes.
Why, why, why why was the first thought I had: "I bet if someone were murdered on that it would be a lot harder to find the evidence"??
What the fuck is wrong with me today?
PaybackOne would think, like a fine filter, dirt would build up fairly quickly and clog it.
I must say, the mixer dumping out the water looked like witchcraft...
JustSayingI thought 'Wow, that must be nice for public executions!'
You're not alone, buddy.
Why, why, why why was the first thought I had: "I bet if someone were murdered on that it would be a lot harder to find the evidence"??
What the fuck is wrong with me today?
mechadeathsays...isn't this exactly how sinkholes are made?
poolcleanerBut what will children jump into on rainy days? Empty puddles?
Discuss...
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